How to Make Oil Based Modeling Clay

If you love to sculpt things out of clay, but want to be able to remodel your creations, oil-based modeling clay is the one for you. The oil keeps the clay from hardening, so you're free to re-sculpt or redo your creations as often as you'd like. You can make your own oil-based modeling clay using ingredients that are readily available at craft and auto supply stores. It only takes a few minutes to combine the ingredients and a few hours for the clay to set up to the proper consistency. This recipe makes about 10 pounds of clay.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 1/2 lbs. microcrystalline wax (available at craft stores) 1 pint #10 weight oil (available at auto supply stores) 1 lb. automotive grease (available at auto supply stores) 6 lbs. + 4 oz. dry clay powder (available at craft stores)

1. Place wax, oil, and grease in a large electric frying pan or large cooking pot.

2. Over low heat, melt wax, oil, and grease. Stir occasionally with a wooden spoon. Combine well.

3. Slowly add clay powder to mixture of wax, oil and grease. Add about a quarter of the clay powder at a time and mix in thoroughly before adding more clay powder to the mixture. Repeat until all clay powder is incorporated.

4. Slowly pour finished clay into disposable plastic containers.

5. Allow clay to harden several hours at room temperature before using.

Tips & Warnings

• Although it's not necessary to store oil-based clay in an airtight container, store in a covered container to keep dust out.
• To reduce the possibility of fire, use the lowest heat setting on the electric frying pan or cooking pot when melting and combining wax, oil and grease.